The AFRICAN QUEENS

In the world of soulless beauty pageants, our homegrown Miss Sahara is a shining light of satin, sequins and empowerment for a new generation of trailblazing Australians

- MELISSA GAUDRON

It is 15-minutes until show time, and backstage the Miss Sahara contestants are in a mild panic. The national costumes - in particular, the jawdropping jewellery - are creating some last-minute hitches. Volunteers scramble to get the adornments in their correct positions, stacking layers of necklaces, rings and bracelets on the anxious pageant participants, snaking them around arms, legs, necks, hands and heads. The dressing room is an epic explosion of colour, prints, textures and beading.

For Nyaradzo (Nyara) Wekwete, who at 28 is the pageant's oldest contestant, it's a final chance to secure her bright-blue traditional isicholo hat before opting to escape the mayhem. "I'm going to go and listen to my music before I have a panic attack," she says, slipping out of the dressing area, adjusting earpods as she leaves.

With nerves taut and the clock ticking, it's time for some final words of encouragement from Miss Sahara founder Anyier Yuol, who appears in front of the throng in a sequinned showstopper frock, gathering the eight finalists into a huddle.

"I am so proud of you all," she says. "You have all worked so hard to get to this stage. But now is the chance to showcase how beautiful each and every one of you is. Tonight is about showing everyone the essence and beauty of the African queen."

The girls whoop in delight and head offstage to begin the proceedings that will culminate in the crowning of Miss Sahara 2023. The pageant is a celebration of Australian African women and kicks off with an elaborate national costume section, then a (non-judged) swimwear category and the evening gown finale. Throughout the journey the participants have been adorned with sashes and given lessons in deportment, styling and make-up. So far, so Miss Congeniality.

But while the event has all the hallmarks of a traditional beauty pageant (minus the mentions of world peace), Miss Sahara is so much more.